In less than 40 days, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act comes into effect. For residents of the city of Guelph and of Wellington and Dufferin counties, that means that all workers will soon be able to work in a safe, healthy and smoke-free workplace. It also means much greater restrictions on the retail promotion of tobacco products, with a complete display ban coming into effect on May 31.

"Our smoke-free strategy makes us a leader in North America by creating safer smoke-free work environments, preventing young people from starting to smoke and assisting smokers to quit," says Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson.

"The legislation will protect workers and the public from exposure to second hand smoke and it will help to ensure that young people don't pick up this deadly addiction," said Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

As the countdown to May 31st continues, Wellington-DufferinGuelph Public Health will have promotional material and signs available, in preparation for SmokeFree Ontario.

"We're excited and thankful that the SmokeFree Ontario Act will go into effect on May 31st. This is great news for Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph said Shawn Zentner, health protection program manager with WDG Public Health.

"Smokers are still welcome everywhere. It's just the smoke that's not."